The Top Twenty Dance Songs of 2012: Part I

I have three lists to get through here, the top dance songs, the top indie pop and the top rock songs, and I want to get those top tens to you as soon as possible. So no descriptions for most.

This is not a list of the best dance songs I discovered in 2012, I take care to determine that these songs actually first appeared in 2012. For remixes that can be tricky, so I’m giving credit to the first blog (as far as my research can show) to post the remix. It’s also a way for me to give a nod to the music blogs that helped make 2012 another fantastic year for music fans.

Want to put it in your pocket and take it home with you? Right-click on the song and select “save as” to download. But you knew that already, you crafty babies.

The Best Dance Songs of 2012 11 – 20

First posted Feb 26th, 2012 on D Squared
“Yeah let’s fuckin’ RAGE!” Honestly I think this should have been in the top ten but I just found it last week and, erm, well the top ten list is already written. Your remix still rages, Hyper Crush.

For a while, I skipped this song, because it starts out all slow and pretty—not what is called for when getting your dance on. But this is just the sign of a finely crafted dance song. Dance music has a lead-in to make it easier for the DJ to mix, Sound Remedy just chose to do this with a lovely opening rather than the naked bass, as weaker DJs do.But the song doesn’t show why it’s one of the best dance songs of 2012 until 1:49, when it drops some retro 80s-esque bliss on your ears. At 4:20 you get a siren and a bit more flair, and the song explodes into a synth wet dream.

January 21st, 2012.I couldn’t bring myself to put any of Chiddy Bang’s songs on my Best of 2012 hip-hop list; he’s a bit too pop even for this electro girl. But I have to admit, he is making hooks catchy enough to make you wonder how Pitbull topped the charts. Somehow Skeet Skeet’s production is even sharper than the original, adding a clarity to Chiddy Bang’s vocals while throwing in a sexy beat and bumpin’ horns. This isn’t a sick banger, this is sing-along mix that will leave you smiling at strangers.

First posted on Vacay Wave April 13.
Don’t know why this is by Flux Pavilion when you get this song on the Example album. Just saying.

BONUS: Minnesota – To The Floor

Minnesota is a new electronic artist that blew up the blog charts this year, even before he had an album out. It’s appropriate that the only phrase is “drop it to the floor” because the drop on this track will melt your face. It takes a few twists and turns, and has more layers than a crate of onions (look out, Flying Lotus). Since the album was self-released the last week in December, we should really consider it for next year’s Top Dance Songs of the Year list. Minnesota hasn’t just released this song last week and you can download his remixes if you like him on Facebook.

In addition to the Top Ten Dance Songs list, be sure to stay tuned for the Top Hip-hop of 2012 and the Top Indie Pop of 2012, because there are plenty of songs on both those lists that are worthy contenders for best dance song of the year.